Carib Scope

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  • Cabinet Awaits Final Consultations on BTL–Speednet Deal

    Cabinet Awaits Final Consultations on BTL–Speednet Deal

    BELMOPAN, BELIZE – January 20, 2026 – Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) executives underwent extensive deliberations with the Cabinet today regarding their proposed acquisition of Speednet. The high-stakes presentation lasted over three hours as BTL leadership detailed their consolidation strategy before government officials.

    This meeting represents the latest phase in BTL’s comprehensive stakeholder engagement process, which has included discussions with the Social Security Board, the Communications Workers’ Union, and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB). Following the lengthy session, Cabinet officials announced they would withhold final judgment until BTL completes its full consultation round with all relevant parties.

    BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga expressed confidence following the presentation, stating the team effectively addressed governmental concerns regarding the telecommunications merger. “I think it went very well,” Lizarraga told reporters. “Cabinet was very engaged. They had numerous questions, and we provided thorough explanations for our proposed consolidation.”

    The chairman emphasized that as a nationally-owned utility, any benefits derived from the merger would ultimately serve the Belizean public. Lizarraga outlined the strategic rationale, noting that eliminating redundant infrastructure and operational inefficiencies would enhance revenue generation capabilities while strengthening Belize’s digital infrastructure.

    When questioned about mounting pressure from social partners demanding his resignation, Lizarraga remained defiant, stating he serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister rather than responding to external stakeholders. The chairman maintained unwavering confidence that his presentation resonated positively with Cabinet members, citing the engaged nature of the extended discussion.

  • BTL Labels Media as Essential Services

    BTL Labels Media as Essential Services

    In a significant policy shift, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has officially reclassified media organizations as essential services. Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga announced the decision on January 20, 2026, directly addressing recent concerns about potential censorship through service disconnections.

    The classification change follows a contentious incident where Channel 7 was mistakenly disconnected due to an automated billing system error. Lizarraga confirmed the company had issued a formal apology letter to the media outlet after reviewing internal records that verified the erroneous disconnection.

    Under the new essential service designation, media houses will now receive personalized courtesy calls from BTL before any potential disconnection for nonpayment occurs. This procedural overhaul represents a departure from the company’s fully automated billing system, which previously disconnected services automatically upon payment delinquency without human intervention.

    Lizarraga emphasized that the policy adjustment aims to safeguard information flow rather than restrict it. “It is not the policy of government and it is not the policy of BTL to unplug anybody,” he stated during the announcement, acknowledging the serious concerns raised by media representatives.

    The essential service category already includes hospitals, police departments, and other critical infrastructure entities that receive special billing considerations. Media organizations will now join these prioritized services, ensuring continuous operation even during billing disputes or administrative delays.

    This development comes one week after three major media outlets held a press conference expressing concerns about potential censorship through utility disconnections, indicating BTL’s responsive approach to these apprehensions.

  • Chebat Responds as GOB Moves to Freeze Telecom Rates Amid Buyout Questions

    Chebat Responds as GOB Moves to Freeze Telecom Rates Amid Buyout Questions

    The Belizean government is taking preemptive measures to protect telecommunications consumers amid ongoing discussions about potential industry consolidation. Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat has clarified the government’s position regarding a proposed Statutory Instrument that would freeze telecom rates during any transitional period.

    Minister Chebat emphasized that the preparation of this regulatory framework does not indicate a finalized decision on the widely discussed merger of telephone companies. “Cabinet has not made a position,” Chebat stated during recent discussions. “We are waiting for the process to take place. We understand there are some consultations going on and we want to allow that to happen first.”

    The proposed legislation, currently being prepared by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), would establish consumer protections including a prohibition on rate increases, changes to service bundles, and unauthorized subscriber transfers between rate plans during any transition. The instrument must pass through the Attorney General’s office before reaching Cabinet for approval.

    Chebat characterized the measure as prudent regulatory preparation rather than an endorsement of consolidation. “As the regulator, I think PUC has to prepare for every eventuality,” he explained, noting that the proposal is already being publicly discussed. This approach suggests the government is maintaining a neutral position while ensuring consumer interests are protected regardless of industry developments.

    The clarification comes following a presentation to Cabinet by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), which Chebat described as “thorough” but insufficient to form a government position without further consultation processes.

  • Former BPO Worker Exposes Scam Pipeline

    Former BPO Worker Exposes Scam Pipeline

    A sophisticated credit card fraud operation originating from within Belize’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector is systematically draining thousands of dollars from local businesses, according to an explosive investigation. In an unprecedented disclosure, a terminated BPO employee has come forward anonymously to detail the intricate mechanics of this widespread scam, speaking only after the business he defrauded cleared his outstanding debt.

    The former agent, whose identity remains protected, revealed how call center employees exploit varying security protocols across different BPO facilities to harvest sensitive payment information. While some centers employ advanced PCI compliance measures that automatically mask customer data, others maintain inadequate safeguards that enable agents to copy and transfer financial details during live customer interactions.

    “The effectiveness of security systems varies dramatically between call centers,” the source explained. “Some utilize number-masking technology that replaces digits with X’s, while others merely mute sensitive information during quality assurance reviews. This creates vulnerabilities that sophisticated agents exploit by simultaneously copying data onto blank pages or utilizing phone applications that automatically sync stolen information to personal devices.”

    Despite comprehensive surveillance and supervisory oversight, the former employee described how agents with exemplary performance records and low-profile behavior often evade suspicion. His own termination came only after a defrauded business connected the fraudulent transactions to his activities, though surprisingly no criminal charges were filed.

    The scale of data theft appears staggering, with the source admitting to accumulating “lot, lot, lot” of credit card numbers—so many that he lost count. The theft process itself can occur within minutes during routine customer service calls, often disguised as extended customer engagement to verify purchase details.

    Perhaps most alarmingly, the stolen financial information has spawned an underground economy within the BPO sector. Agents reportedly use purloined credit cards to purchase group meals for colleagues while pocketing cash payments from coworkers. More disturbingly, this sensitive data is now being traded on the streets, with the source noting that some call center employees with gang affiliations actively participate in these illicit markets, often influenced by what he termed “scamming music” that glorifies financial fraud.

    These revelations highlight critical vulnerabilities in Belize’s growing BPO industry and raise urgent questions about data protection standards, employee screening processes, and regulatory oversight as businesses continue absorbing substantial financial losses from these sophisticated operations.

  • CCJ Restores Manslaughter Convictions in Sotz Case

    CCJ Restores Manslaughter Convictions in Sotz Case

    In a landmark judicial decision that concludes a decade-long legal battle, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has reinstated manslaughter convictions against two Belizean police officers involved in the 2015 custodial death of teenager Hilberto Sotz. The ruling overturns a previous Court of Appeal decision that had cleared officers Leonard Nunez and Hallet King of charges.

    The case dates back to June 8, 2015, when 18-year-old Sotz died under suspicious circumstances while detained at Caye Caulker Police Station for questioning regarding burglary allegations. A post-mortem examination revealed the victim suffered fatal blunt-force trauma that triggered a massive heart attack, contradicting initial police accounts of his death.

    During proceedings, Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal presented compelling evidence including testimony from another detainee, Manuel Guerra, who reported hearing desperate pleas and physical altercation sounds from the interrogation room shortly before Sotz was carried out unconscious. The victim’s mother, Carmelina Sotz, had consistently maintained her son’s innocence, noting he was attending school in Belmopan when the alleged burglaries occurred.

    The case sparked national outrage and violent protests on Caye Caulker, eventually leading to reduced charges against the officers in 2016 due to insufficient evidence for murder convictions. While a 2019 manslaughter conviction was initially overturned on appeal, the CCJ’s unanimous decision now sends the case back to the Belize Court of Appeal for sentencing determination.

    Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee delivered the court’s ruling, stating all five justices agreed to reinstate the convictions. This decision represents a significant victory for judicial accountability in Belize and highlights ongoing concerns regarding police conduct and custodial safety protocols throughout the Caribbean region.

  • High Court Slams Elrington, Orders Payout in Lightburn Estate

    High Court Slams Elrington, Orders Payout in Lightburn Estate

    In a landmark ruling that concludes a protracted legal battle, Belize’s High Court has delivered a scathing judgment against Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington for his mishandling of the James Lightburn estate. Justice Javed Mansoor found the veteran attorney guilty of severe professional misconduct for failing to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to rightful beneficiaries.

    The case centered on the estate of the late James Lightburn, particularly the $460,000 generated from the 2017 sale of a 562-acre property. Court documents revealed that Elrington, serving as estate executor, never established the mandated trust account, provided no accounting of the funds, and maintained no communication with the Lightburn family regarding the estate’s disposition.

    Justice Mansoor characterized Elrington’s conduct as a ‘serious lapse’ of professional duty, particularly concerning for a legal practitioner of his standing. The court accepted the claimant’s evidence in its entirety after Elrington failed to mount a substantive defense or participate meaningfully in proceedings.

    The judgment mandates Elrington to distribute all estate funds within 30 days, pay 5% annual interest dating back to 2017, submit comprehensive financial accounts for each year of his administration, and cover $10,000 in court costs.

    In a significant development, the ruling will be formally referred to both the General Legal Council and the Bar Association of Belize, potentially triggering disciplinary proceedings. This case marks the second recent disciplinary issue for Elrington, who received a six-month suspension from practice in November 2025 for similar misconduct in an unrelated matter involving client funds.

    For the Lightburn family, particularly daughter Jasmin who was denied her inheritance, the verdict represents a hard-won victory after years of financial uncertainty and procedural delays.

  • Domestic Dispute Turns Violent; Mother and Son Charged n Brutal Attack

    Domestic Dispute Turns Violent; Mother and Son Charged n Brutal Attack

    A brutal domestic altercation in Belize City has resulted in attempted murder charges against a mother and son following a violent incident that left a woman hospitalized with critical injuries. The Belize Police Department reported that 38-year-old Prunella White and her 19-year-old son Jermaine Belisle allegedly carried out a coordinated attack on 36-year-old Samira Gentle during an early morning dispute on Sunday.

    According to official police statements, the confrontation escalated dramatically at the family’s Central American Boulevard residence. Investigators state that White allegedly wielded a machete against Gentle while Belisle simultaneously attacked her with a knife. The victim sustained multiple severe wounds requiring immediate emergency medical attention.

    Emergency services transported Gentle to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where she was admitted in critical condition. Medical authorities continue to monitor her status following the traumatic incident.

    The judicial proceedings moved quickly with both suspects arraigned in Belize City courts. Due to the gravity of the charges, the court denied bail applications and remanded both defendants to Belize Central Prison until their next scheduled hearing on February 25th. Legal protocols prevented the entering of pleas during the initial arraignment.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed that White subsequently surrendered to authorities and provided a recorded statement admitting to her involvement in the attack. Crime scene investigators collected substantial evidence including the alleged weapons—a machete and knife—along with blood samples for forensic analysis.

    The case has drawn attention to domestic violence incidents in the community, with local authorities emphasizing the seriousness with which they treat such violent crimes.

  • Domestic Violence Law Stalls Amid Training Holdup

    Domestic Violence Law Stalls Amid Training Holdup

    A landmark domestic violence legislation designed to address rising case numbers faces significant implementation hurdles months after its parliamentary passage. The 2025 Domestic Violence Act promised enhanced victim safeguards through a key provision: authorizing senior justices of the peace to issue emergency protection orders during weekends and public holidays when courts are traditionally closed.

    However, these critical measures remain inactive due to unresolved training requirements. Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre confirmed the delay stems from mandatory specialized training for justices before they can exercise these new judicial powers. “We don’t want to rush and empower persons who may not have sufficient training,” Sylvestre stated, emphasizing the need to balance accessibility with proper judicial oversight.

    Compounding concerns, reports indicate potential $50 fees for protection order applicants—a cost proponents argue creates barriers for vulnerable victims. When questioned about Christmas holiday implementation, Sylvestre acknowledged the training hadn’t commenced, leaving victims without this emergency recourse during peak holiday periods known for increased domestic violence incidents.

    The Attorney General defended utilizing police stations as access points, noting they provide ready access to officers who can immediately serve protection orders. Regarding the proposed fees, Sylvestre cited logistical complexities: “This is done outside of working hours. All of those logistics has to be worked out as well.” The situation leaves advocates questioning when—and how—these promised protections will become operational.

  • Kolcha Tuesday: Belizean Music Aims Beyond Borders

    Kolcha Tuesday: Belizean Music Aims Beyond Borders

    BELIZE CITY – The vibrant pulse of Belize’s music scene is beating stronger than ever, blending traditional Punta and Brukdown roots with contemporary Afro-Caribbean, Latin, and urban influences. Yet despite overflowing talent and creative energy, the nation’s artists face significant challenges in achieving international recognition.

    Music producer Devin “DJ Perf” Peyrefitte is currently spearheading efforts to elevate Belize’s musical profile, directing a new music video in Belize City with emerging artists. “We’ve figured out where we want to go as musicians—the goal is to take Belizean music beyond our borders,” Peyrefitte stated. “The problem arises when artists reach a certain level domestically but struggle to break through internationally.”

    Jamaican music business consultant Lloyd Stanbury identifies structural deficiencies as the primary obstacle. “We lack sufficient professionals who can provide management services, publicity, marketing, and design,” Stanbury explained. “People often focus solely on performers, overlooking the essential support ecosystem that makes creative industries thrive.”

    Stanbury emphasizes that Belize’s unique cultural fusion—bridging Caribbean and Latin American traditions—represents its greatest competitive advantage. “This distinctive blend should be leveraged rather than attempting to duplicate Jamaica’s model. Belize possesses entirely different cultural assets.”

    Belizean Dancehall artist Bernard “Unlmtd” Cayetano maintains authenticity as his guiding principle. “I write about what I see and experience presently—no facades, no embellishments. My Belizean identity emerges naturally through my music.”

    Financial constraints and governmental support remain critical discussion points. Stanbury argues that “if culture is genuinely important, states must invest in incubation services and business development programs for artists.”

    Cayetano emphasizes unity and regional collaboration: “We need more collective effort—training artists properly and positioning them to represent Belize at Caribbean festivals and beyond.”

    Peyrefitte highlights consistency as the missing ingredient: “If artists maintain regular output of quality work, the financial returns accumulate through multiple revenue streams. Sustainable careers require persistent creative production.”

    Industry consensus indicates that Belize’s musical breakthrough depends on developing infrastructure, embracing cultural uniqueness, ensuring consistent artistic output, and securing strategic investments—elements that could finally propel the nation’s sound onto the world stage.

  • Dominican Republic celebrates Our Lady of Altagracia Day

    Dominican Republic celebrates Our Lady of Altagracia Day

    Santo Domingo – January 21st marks one of the most significant cultural and religious observances in the Dominican Republic as the nation commemorates the Day of Our Lady of Altagracia. This annual celebration brings together thousands of devotees who journey to the Basilica Cathedral in Higüey, La Altagracia province, for a series of religious ceremonies, mass gatherings, and spiritual pilgrimages that beautifully intertwine faith with national heritage.

    The veneration of Our Lady of Altagracia represents a centuries-old tradition dating to the early colonial era in the 16th century, when her sacred image was first brought from Spain to the eastern territories of the Dominican Republic. The revered artwork, portraying the Virgin Mary in adoration of the infant Jesus, has evolved into a powerful national emblem representing divine protection, collective hope, and social cohesion throughout pivotal historical periods.

    Transcending its purely religious significance, this festivity demonstrates the profound interconnection between Catholic customs and Dominican cultural identity. Officially designated as the nation’s spiritual patron, Our Lady of Altagracia receives annual homage from the highest levels of government including the President, public officials, various institutions, and multigenerational families, collectively reinforcing her enduring symbolism as a unifying force of tradition, faith, and national pride.